When does your riding become training?

I’ve hemmed and hawed about training a time or three, and long-time readers know I’m not a gung-ho training fan, like some of my friends. I started biking because I like it, it’s fun, and it offers some nice side benefits like improved fitness. I’ve kinda gotten into the biking culture, too.

But now that my Bike MS ride is less than two months away, I realize that I’m really behind where I ought to be to get ready for two loooong days in the saddle back to back. It’s time to get down to business.

Two weekends ago, I was able to bike Friday, Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 50 miles. Last weekend, I rode on Saturday and Sunday, for a total of 39 miles, but under tougher conditions and in hillier terrain. Since it looks like the demands of work will prevent me from getting out to ride during the week, I am planning to cave in and hit the stationary bike at the club at least two mornings a week. I’ll be using some upcoming organized rides in the area for my longer mileage rides over the next month and a half, along with any training rides my new team might happen to come up with.

In other words, I’m starting to train. It’ll be training with a definite goal in mind. I’ll have to ride 100 miles the first day, and 85 miles the second day for the Bike MS. Primarily, I’ll be working to increase my endurance, rather than my speed. I figure that with more time in the saddle, speed will come. However, I’ll still make use of tried and true training techniques, like intervals. These can be worked into most any bike ride I take.

I guess there comes a point for most of us where we target something beyond just a regular, nice bike ride, and try to do something more. One of this blog’s loyal readers asked me, “When does your riding become training?”

That’s a tough one. A few years ago I did a lot of weekend rides with friends who were “training” for a tour, but the training was nothing more than long rides on weekends. The last few rides before the tour they added their gear, but other than that it was just some fun rides. I guess I don’t see too much difference, it’s just in how you look at it. Good luck on the MS ride.